martes, 9 de septiembre de 2014

Bacteria from honey bee’s possible alternative to antibiotics

A pool of lactic
acid bacteria from honey has antibacterial properties against various pathogens

Working
bees on honey cells (stock image). Raw honey has been used against infections
for millennia, before honey -- as we now know it -- was manufactured and sold
in stores.

Raw honey
has been used against infections for millennia, before honey -- as we now know
it -- was manufactured and sold in stores. So what is the key to its'
antimicrobial properties? Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have
identified a unique group of 13 lactic acid bacteria found in fresh honey, from
the honey stomach of bees. The bacteria produce a myriad of active
antimicrobial compounds.

These
lactic acid bacteria have now been tested on severe human wound pathogens such
as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE),
among others. When the lactic acid bacteria were applied to the pathogens in
the laboratory, it counteracted all of them.

While the
effect on human bacteria has only been tested in a lab environment thus far,
the lactic acid bacteria have been applied directly to horses with persistent
wounds. The LAB was mixed with honey and applied to ten horses; where the
owners had tried several other methods to no avail. All of the horses' wounds
were healed by the mixture.

While the
effect on human bacteria has only been tested in a lab environment thus far,
the lactic acid bacteria have been applied directly to horses with persistent
wounds. The LAB was mixed with honey and applied to ten horses; where the
owners had tried several other methods to no avail. All of the horses' wounds
were healed by the mixture.

The
researchers believe the secret to the strong results lie in the broad spectrum
of active substances involved.

Antibiotics
usually have one active substance, effective against only a narrow spectrum of
bacteria. When used alive, these 13 lactic acid bacteria produce the right kind
of antimicrobial compounds as needed, depending on the threat. It seems to have
worked well for millions of years of protecting bees' health and honey against
other harmful microorganisms. However, since store-bought honey doesn't contain
the living lactic acid bacteria, many of its unique properties have been lost
in recent times.

The next
step is further studies to investigate wider clinical use against topical human
infections as well as on animals.

The
findings have implications for developing countries, where fresh honey is
easily available, but also for Western countries where antibiotic resistance is
seriously increasing.